When I evaluate software, I see having multiple vendors offering to support/host the software as a good thing. After selecting a piece of software I then begin

When I evaluate software, I see having multiple vendors offering to support/host the software as a good thing. After selecting a piece of software I then begin to evaluate vendor offerings. The vendor being deeply involved in the project- such as being the original creator or otherwise being a major contributor, is a huge plus. Having 100% of a small pie is often worse than having a good percent of a larger pie. Fostering a large Open Source ecosystem increases the size of the pie- even if you have to share some of it. Of course, any business is a lot of work, whether your software is Open Source or proprietary. Open Source is a great strategy, but it doesn't guarantee success.